Illustration: Large ad over the video

Large ad over the video

Large Display Ads · experience 19 of 23

It is an ad image or animation stuck on top of the video that is playing. It is too big or sits right in the middle, getting in the way of watching the video.

LimitCovers more than 20% of the player OR appears in the middle third of the player. Applies to videos up to 8 minutes.

Doesn't countThe Coalition says a static image or message smaller than 20% of the player and outside the middle third is much less annoying. Google does not review videos longer than 8 minutes.

How to do it rightUse a small static image, under 20% of the player, away from the middle third.

Understand it in 1 minute

This is the large ad that appears on top of the video while it plays. The Coalition for Better Ads calls it a large non-linear ad: ad messages or images, still or animated, placed over the video player. It is like watching a game on TV with someone holding a sign in front of the screen.

The case has two conditions, and either one is enough. The first: the ad covers more than 20% of the video player. The second: the ad appears in the middle third of the player. In other words, a small ad in the middle third already falls under the rule. And an ad outside the middle third that covers more than 20% of the player also falls under it. The Coalition explains that these experiences got in the way of people's ability to watch the video they chose.

The Coalition also describes the opposite side. Still messages and images that were smaller than 20% of the player and sat outside the middle third of the video area were considered much less intrusive. Note that both things must happen together: smaller than 20% and outside the middle third. Since this is a short video rule, it applies to videos of up to 8 minutes, which is how the Coalition defines a short video. An ad that sits beside the player, without being on top of the video, is not an ad overlaid on the video.

Allowed

Allowed like this

A still ad image smaller than 20% of the player and outside the middle third.
A small, still ad strip at the edge of the player, smaller than 20% and outside the middle third.
An ad beside the player, not on top of the video.
A small, still sponsor logo in a corner of the player, smaller than 20% and outside the middle third.

Not allowed

Not allowed like this

A banner over the video that covers more than 20% of the player.
A small ad, but placed in the middle third of the player.
An overlay that takes up a third of the player.
An ad animation over the video that goes beyond 20% of the player.

In practice

Imagine a sports site that shows a banner over highlight videos, right in the middle of the picture, covering the play. Because it is in the middle third of the player, it falls under the rule, even if it is small. A still image smaller than 20% of the player and outside the middle third would be, according to the Coalition, much less intrusive.